Each year, 46 million turkeys are killed for Thanksgiving in the United States. But at Farm Sanctuary, we know that these sentient and social birds are friends, not food—and at our Celebration for the Turkeys, they are the honored guests.

On November 1 in Watkins Glen, NY, and November 15 in Acton, CA, we opened our doors at Farm Sanctuary for a festive event and a toast to turkeys. 

Our thanks go out to our corporate event sponsors: Treeline Cheesemakers, Nuts for Cheese, Wegmans, Soul Full Cup, and GreenStar. We are grateful to our dedicated volunteers and team members who made these events possible—and to our inspiring supporters who stood with us and turkeys, rain or shine!

Scroll on to see the food and fun that unfolded on these beautiful fall days at Farm Sanctuary.

Our guests of honor, the rescued turkeys of Farm Sanctuary, were celebrated with the Feeding of the Turkeys! In Watkins Glen, attendees watched as the birds delighted in a festive feast prepared by our caregivers and filled with tasty, seasonal produce.

In Acton, where our peaceful turkey gals are slowing down in their golden years, we presented a special video ceremony highlighting the joy of this holiday tradition.

Human attendees also savored the flavors of the fall season. Watkins Glen guests sat down to a meal from our vegan cafe, The Kitchen at Farm Sanctuary, which included savory plant-based roasts, holiday sides such as mashed potatoes and green bean casserole, as well as pumpkin pie and pecan cobbler for dessert.

In Acton, the festive feast was prepared by Los Angeles-area vegan favorite Doomie’s Home Cookin’. It featured tasty plant-based cutlets, mouthwatering sides including stuffing and cranberry sauce, as well as delicious pumpkin cookies and parfaits for dessert.

At both events, moving presentations engaged the audience and raised awareness for turkeys and the billions of farm animals we advocate for.

Farm Sanctuary President and Co-founder Gene Baur spoke about the first Celebration for the Turkeys, held nearly four decades ago, as well as his Adopt a Turkey trip across the country. Gene also highlighted how Farm Sanctuary continues to grow the power of sanctuary by shifting resources away from factory farming and supporting just and compassionate plant-based living.

In Watkins Glen, Senior Manager, Education Program, Mercy Mize, discussed the latest from our inspiring humane education programs and our exciting vision for the future—including offering plant-based cooking classes and videos; expanding on-site education programs and tours to include school field trips; launching our Teachers Helping Teachers and Community Action Network (CAN) efforts to engage more educators and advocates, and more.

In Acton, guests enjoyed a live jazz band performance, and our Community Engagement Manager, Veronika Graves, spoke about the importance of community in effecting meaningful change. She discussed Farm Sanctuary’s growing efforts to engage advocates and volunteers nationwide in taking action from wherever they live as part of our mission for animals, people, and the planet.

In meet-and-greets with Gene Baur, many guests in both New York and California had their books signed and spoke with Gene about their shared love of farm animals.

Gene is the author of Farm Sanctuary: Changing Hearts and Minds About Animals and Living the Farm Sanctuary Life.

During open sanctuary time, guests connected with many of our rescued farm animal residents. 

While direct interactions with our rescued residents were limited in Acton, as we prioritized everyone’s safety amid heavy rain, guests still got to see the pig residents join in on the fun with fall activities, and the weather did not dampen the spirit of our compassionate celebration.

In Watkins Glen, guests spent quality time with the sheep, goats, cows, pigs, and other residents. These inspiring individuals, many of whom were rescued from factory farming, abuse, or neglect, serve as ambassadors; by offering guests a rare chance to meet and get to know them, we inspire compassion for farm animals everywhere.

At both events, our rescued residents enjoyed fall-themed parties of their own, like pumpkin parties for the pigs, delighting in fun and engaging enrichment activities. At Farm Sanctuary, we know that enrichment is not just play; it’s also vital to the cognitive and social well-being of farm animals!

Celebration for the Turkeys is not just a party, although there is plenty of food and fun! In addition to enjoying the fall festivities, guests learned simple ways to help farm animals in their daily lives, regardless of where they live.

Many guests also took the chance to “adopt” a turkey while honoring our feathered friends—and there’s still time for you to embrace a compassionate Thanksgiving tradition this year, too! 

By sponsoring a rescued turkey who lives at Farm Sanctuary, you will support the daily care of your adopted bird and help us tell their story, inspire compassion for all farm animals, and advocate for food system change.

Look through the photos below to see more celebration and compassionate community!